ROY Aitken paid tribute to Villa striker Kevin Phillips as he paid back another slice of his £750,000 transfer fee by powering the club into the last 16 of the Carling Cup at the expense of Burnley.

Phillips is already looking a bargain capture and for the second time in three matches his goal was sufficient to clinch victory for David O'Leary's side.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill, who was second in command at Sunderland during Phillips' time on Wearside, had warned of the danger of allowing the 32-year-old even a single chance.

Villa number two Aitken said: "Kevin Phillips is a goalscorer. That's what we have brought him here to do.

"He is a match-winner isn't he? He scored the winner against Birmingham the other week as well. That makes the difference. With Kevin in those situations, nine times out of 10 it will produce a goal."

The other big plus point for Villa, beaten 3-1 by Burnley in this competition last season, was midfielder Gavin McCann and defender Mark Delaney completing 90 minutes action after lengthy lay-offs with respective knee problems.

Aitken said: "Gavin is so important for us in the middle of the park because we do like to go forward and he gives us that little bit of security in there.

"Mark also had a steady game. He has been out for a long time. I was pleased for him as well. Mark and Gavin are two very important members of our squad."